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3/4/2021
The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package moving through Congress includes $70 million for the Honolulu transit-rail project, according to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).
The new federal funding will help the city and county of Honolulu pay for a portion of its share of the project cost, making up for the loss in tax revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Schatz said in a press release.
Schatz, who chairs the U.S. Senate's Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, worked with House leaders to secure funding for the project in the legislation. The bill passed the House on Feb. 27 and is now under consideration in the Senate.
Honolulu's 20-mile, elevated guideway passenger-rail system is under construction. It will operate along Oahu's south shore between East Kapolei and Ala Moana Center.
The project governed by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) has been financially challenged, with costs increasing several times. It's now estimated to cost $11 billion. Funding took a big hit in 2020: About $62 million in room and excise tax dollars that were expected to be collected for the project were lost due to the pandemic, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported.
The $70 million included in the COVID-19 relief bill would cover that amount.
"Our goal here was to help the city pay for part of its share by covering the loss in local tax revenue caused by the pandemic," said Schatz. "This provides some relief, but HART and the city must still come up with a workable financial plan and get this project up and running for the people of Honolulu."